Do you understand what I'm telling you, Claude ?" "Yes, I do, Hugh," chattered the other, for his teeth were rattling together in a way that reminded Hugh of the "Bones" at the end of a minstrel line; if he had ever seen a Spanish stage performance he would have said they made a sound like castanets in the hands of the senorita who gave the national Castilian dance.
Claude really managed to carry out that part of the task with a fair amount of success.

His other hand still gripped the bush, which continued to gradually give way under the long and severe strain.
Hugh braced himself.

He had taken as firm a hold as was possible, and had his other arm thrown around Claude.
"Steady, now, Claude, it's almost gone.

When you feel it give way, try and make use of your right hand to find some other rocky point where you can hold on.

I think there's one such on the other side of you.